The Path to
Enlightenment

Extracts from the
Suttas

"This is a designation for this noble eightfold
path: 'the divine vehicle' and 'the vehicle of Dhamma'
and 'the unsurpassed victory in battle'.

"Right view, Ananda, when developed and
cultivated, has as its final goal the removal of lust,
the removal of hatred, the removal of delusion.

"Right intention, when developed and cultivated,
has as its final goal the removal of lust, the removal of
hatred, the removal of delusion.

"Right speech, when developed and cultivated, has
as its final goal the removal of lust, the removal of
hatred, the removal of delusion.

"Right action, when developed and cultivated, has
as its final goal the removal of lust, the removal of
hatred, the removal of delusion.

"Right livelihood, when developed and cultivated,
has as its final goal the removal of lust, the removal of
hatred, the removal of delusion.

"Right effort, when developed and cultivated, has
as its final goal the removal of lust, the removal of
hatred, the removal of delusion.

"Right mindfulness, when developed and
cultivated, has as its final goal the removal of lust,
the removal of hatred, the removal of delusion.

"Right concentration, when developed and
cultivated, has as its final goal the removal of lust,
the removal of hatred, the removal of delusion."

"In this way, Ananda, it may be understood how
this is a designation for this noble eightfold path: 'the
divine vehicle' and 'the vehicle of Dhamma' and 'the
unsurpassed victory in battle.'"

-- SN XLV.4

An ancient path
re-discovered:

"It is just as if a man, traveling along a
wilderness track, were to see an ancient path, an ancient
road, traveled by people of former times. He would follow
it. Following it, he would see an ancient city, an
ancient capital inhabited by people of former times,
complete with parks, groves, and ponds, walled,
delightful. He would go to address the king or the king's
minister, saying, 'Sire, you should know that while
traveling along a wilderness track I saw an ancient
path...I followed it...I saw an ancient city, an ancient
capital...complete with parks, groves, and ponds, walled,
delightful. Sire, rebuild that city!' Then the king or
king's minister would rebuild the city, so that at a
later date the city would become powerful, rich, and
well-populated, fully grown and prosperous.

"In the same way I saw an ancient path, an
ancient road, traveled by the Rightly Self-awakened Ones
of former times. And what is that ancient path...? Just
this noble eightfold path: right view, right resolve,
right speech, right action, right livelihood, right
effort, right mindfulness, right concentration...I
followed that path. Following it, I came to direct
knowledge of aging and death, direct knowledge of the
origination of aging and death, direct knowledge of the
cessation of aging and death, direct knowledge of the
path leading to the cessation of aging and death. I
followed that path. Following it, I came to direct
knowledge of birth... becoming... clinging... craving...
feeling... contact... the six sense spheres... name and
form... consciousness, direct knowledge of the
origination of consciousness, direct knowledge of the
cessation of consciousness, direct knowledge of the path
leading to the cessation of consciousness. I followed
that path.

"Following it, I came to direct knowledge of
processes, direct knowledge of the origination of
processes, direct knowledge of the cessation of
processes, direct knowledge of the path leading to the
cessation of processes. Knowing that directly, I have
revealed it to monks, nuns, male lay adherents, and
female lay adherents, so that this holy life has become
powerful, rich, detailed, well-populated, wide-spread,
proclaimed among celestial and human beings."

-- SN XII.65

Enlightenment is accessible
only to those who follow this path:

"In any doctrine and discipline where the noble
eightfold path is not found, no contemplative of the
first... second... third... fourth order [stream-winner,
once-returner, non-returner, or Arahant] is found.

"But in any doctrine and discipline where the
noble eightfold path is found, contemplatives of the
first... second... third... fourth order are found.

"The noble eightfold path is found in this
doctrine and discipline, and right here there are
contemplatives of the first... second... third... fourth
order. Other teachings are empty of knowledgeable
contemplatives. And if the monks dwell rightly, this
world will not be empty of Arahants."

-- DN 16

The Path:

Of paths, the eightfold is best. Of truths, the four
sayings. Of qualities, dispassion. Of two-footed beings,
the one with the eyes to see.

Just this is the path - there is no other - to purify
vision. Follow it, and that will be Mara's bewilderment.

Following it, you put an end to suffering and stress.
I have taught you this path for knowing the extraction of
arrows.

It's for you to strive ardently. Tathagatas simply
point out the way. Those who practice, absorbed in jhana:
from Mara's bonds they'll be freed.